Floor sweeper



T. B. FUNK FLOOR SWEEPER March 3, 1942.

2 sheets-sheet 1 Filed Jan.

MarchB, 1942. T. B. FUNK 2,275,356

FLOOR SWEEPER Filed Jan. 16, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gwuowto'o TF? LIM FUNK caster,

Patented Mar. 3, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLOOR SWEEPER Truman B. Funk, Jackson, Mich, assignor to Yard-Man," Inc., Jackson, Mich., a corpora- I tion of Michigan Application January 16,

3 Claims.

This invention relates to floor sweepers and more particularl to floor sweepers designed for use on uncarpeted floors, such as in factories, dance halls, gymnasiums and the like.

In the past, sweepers for uncarpeted floors have been unsatisfactory because of their failure to sweep clean. In an attempt to provide a clean sweeping sweeper, the dust catching apron has been placed in front of a rotary brush so that the brush theoretically catches all dirt that is passed over by the sweeper, and, incidentally, the apron, which must be spaced from the floor in 1939, Serial No. 251,056 (01. -49) Referring particularly to the drawings, the reference characters I indicate the side frame members of the floor sweeper, overthe rear and upper portion of which is disclosed a casing 2, which preferably is of sheet metal and is secured to the edges of the side frame members I in some suitable manner. The side frame members I preferably are castand bowed outwardly in the central portion thereof as shown particularly in Figs. 5 and 7. Intermediate the frame members I the casing 2 is recessed, as shown particularly in order to permit the dirt to pass under it. Howsweeper having an adjustable rubber apron disposedbehind a rotary brush.

Another object of the invention is to provide a v floor sweeper having a rotary brush revolving in the same direction as the ground wheels.

A further object of the invention is toprovide a floor sweeper having the dirt catching apron behind and a dirtreceptacle in front of a rotary brush;

catching apron. v V Theseand other objects will be apparent from the-following specification when taken with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a vertical section of one form of the invention,

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the sam Fig. 3 is a vertical section showing the rear Fig. 4 is a side elevation showing another form of the invention,

Fig. 5 is a partial section on the line V'V of Fig. 4, v

Fig. 6 is a section on the line VIVI of Fig. 5, and

Fig. 7. is a sectional detail taken on the line VII-VII of Fig. 1.

dotted outline in Figs. 1 and '7, providing a dirt deflecting surface 3. The frame members I have integral therewith forwardly extending arms 4, in which are disposed slots 5. Disposed in the slots 5 are bolts 8, on which are mounted the ground wheels 1. Nuts 8 are employed to clamp the bolts 6 in the slots 5 and to adjust them longitudinally of .the slots 5 for the purpose of tightening the belts 9 in V-grooves III in the peripheries of the ground wheels I.

The belts 9 are in driving engagement with pulleys II mounted on theends of a shaft I2, the shaft I2 mounting a rotary brush I3. The depressed, surface 3 of the casing 2 at the rear portion thereof is arcuate in form and of substantially the same radius as the rotary brush I3, the periphery of the brush I3 being contiguous to the rear portion of the surface 3. The brush I3is of sufficient width so that the extreme side portions adjacent the periphery thereof are in engagement with-th'e side frames I as shown particularly in Fig. 7. The fact that only the peripheral portions of the brush I3 are in engagement with the side frames I is due to the arcuate configuration of the side frames I. The result of this construction is that any dirt picked up by the brush and carried around the dirt deflecting surface 3, is retained against falling downwardly as it would were there a space between the ends of the brush 3 and the side frames I. At the lower rear end of the casing 2 is mounted an apron I8 preferably of flexible molded rubber and arranged to be in contiguous relation with the surface being swept.

Extending rearwardly of the sweeper and integral with the side frame members I are arms I9, between which is connected 9. bar 20. Midway between the ends of the bar 20 is mounted a caster 2|, shown in Fig. 6, having a freely rotatable ground wheel 22. Vertical adjustment of the caster 2| to adjust the position of the apron l8 and the I'Otfilybl'liSh' I3 with respect to the surface being swept is provided by an externally Y threaded sleeve 23, in which the shank 24 of the caster 2| is snugly retained. The sleeve 23 is threaded into the bar 20 and is provided at the upper end thereof with a hexagonal or square portion 25. Vertical adjustment of the caster 2| is obtained'by applying a wrench to the hexagonal or square portion 25 of the sleeve 23 and rotating the same, the adjustment being fixed by tightening a locking nut 26 against the bar 20.

The dirt receptabie 21 for the sweeper is shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 2 and is in the formof a sheet metal box having a portion of the top and portion of the upper rear side cut away. Each side of the receptacle 21 is provided witha trunion 28 arranged for disposition in open topped bearing members 29 integral with the arms 4.

The side frames I are provided with wings for V overlapping engagement with the sides of the tending plate 35, which projects from adjacent the periphery of the brush I3 to within there- In operation, the caster M is adjusted until the apron I8 and the brush I3 are disposed in the correct relation to the floor to be swept. It is to be understood that the apron I8 should just touch the floor but should not bear against the same with sufficient force to exert an undesirable drag on the operation of the sweeper. As the sweeper is moved forwardly, the ground wheels 1 rotate, thereby driving the rotary brush I3 by the belts 9. It will be clear from the drawings that the brush I3 rotates in the same direction as the ground wheels and brushes dirt from the fioor against the apron I8, which deflects it upwardly to the surface 3. providing a continuation of the surface of the apron I8. The rotation of the brush I3 carries the dirt upwardly and over it along the surface 3 and directs it forwardly into the receptacle 21. The deflector 36 serves to prevent the dirt which has been swept up from dropping downwardly in front of the brush, and directs it directly into the receptacle 21. As there is some draft provided by the rotation of the brush I3, the deflector 31 directs the draft ceptacle 21 for the purpose of directing dirt swept by the brush l3 into the receptacle121 and rearwardly in such a manner as to direct the draft created by the rotation of .-the"brush I3 rearwardly toward the apron I'8,'is ,connected to the vertical leg of the member,35; z

Disposed over the opening in the upperportion of the receptacle 21 is a dirt filter'38 in-the form of a fabric bag readily pervious toair but not to dust. The bottom side of the bag" is open and is supported by a frame having a-peripheral member 39 and a plurality of transverse members 40. Connected to the upper portion of each side frame member I is an arm 4| having a curved understood that the arms 4| are -connected to z the frame members I by screws or the like 44 in order that they may be removed to permit the connection of the filter to the sweeper. By virtue of the pivotal connection:provided-by the portion 43 and the hinges 42, the filter38 may be pivoted rearwardly, as shown in the exploded view in Fig. 2. A shown particularly in Fig. 2, the. upper side edges of the receptacle 21 are provided with upwardly and inwardly extending wings 48, .and the front upper edge of the receptacle '21 is provided with an upwardly and rearwardly extending wing 49. When the receptacle '21'is' assem bed onthe sweeper by disposing the .trunions 28 in the upwardly opening bearings 28, the front edge thereof bears against the deflecting plate 31, the wings 3U overlap the side portionsof the side opening thereof, as above explained," [and the A deflecting plate 31, which is inclinedidownwardly laterally of the sweeper.

tion, the filter 38 will assume a position somewhat similar tothat disclosed in Fig. 1, that is, extended. However, ,when the sweeper is not in operation, the filter 38 will collapse and rest against the transverse wires 48 in the bottom framework thereof.

Another form of my invention is disclosedin Figs. 4, 5 and 6. In this form of the invention a separate adjustment has been provided for the which is wrapped about a square shaft 56.

shaft 56 has the ends 51 thereof turned down into apron I8. The apron I8,- as shown particularly in Fig. 6, has a sheet metal mounting member 55, The

' as to urge the detent 84 into engagement with the toothed lug 65. Adjustment of the apron I8 relatively to the floor being swept is then obtained by rotating the shaft 55 in the bores 58 by means of the lever 63. Any adjustment thus obtained is maintained by the detent 84 resting between two of the teeth of the toothed lug 65.

An advantage of the construction disclosed in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 is that the apron I8 may be ad- U justed relatively to the-floor being swept indefilter 38 fits over the wings 48 and-49',- as shown in Fig. 1.

Pivoted to the side framememb ers" I is a suit able handle 58, the pivotal movement of which is limited by pins 5I integral with the side frame members I. wardly by an operator holding the'handle 50. 1

In use, the sweeper is pushed for-- pendently'of the brush l3, the adjustment of which with respect to the floor in this case is accomplished by adjusting the caster 2|. It is found in actual practice that the adjustment of V the apron I8 must be very exact in order to secure good sweeping. Therefore, since the apron I8 is in contact with the fioor being swept during operation and therefor wears off, the adjustment 3 of the same from time to-time is very desirable.

ables the apron to keep out of cracks.

While the apron l8 has been disclosed as composed'of rubber, it of course may be composed of other substances. However, I have found. that the best results are obtained by using rubber. When the term rubber is used in the specification, it is to be understood that I do not intend to limit myself specifically to rubber. It is contemplated that the term include artificial rubber, rubber substitute, or any other flexible material having satisfactory wearing qualities and the ability to be flatly disposed upon the surface being cleaned for a reasonable length of service. In practice, the apron I8 is provided with a horizontal foot portion l8, which en- The adjustment of the apron -l8 through the handle 63 has the tendency of placing more pressure upon the toe or forward'edge portion it" than on the heel l8".', which has the effect of causing the foot portion to be disposed flatly upon the surface being swept. As shown particularly in dotted outline in Fig. 6, the apron I8 is originally molded flat, but when it is in contact with the floor when attached to the sweeper, as shown in full line in Fig, 6, it assumes an arcuate configuration. The arcuate state of the apron i8 is regulated through the adjustment of the lever 63 and the height of the caster 2| to obtain the most efficient operation of the apron l8. In practice, the apron I8 is adjusted so as to sweep clean with a minimum amount of floor pressure upon the foot Hi to reduce wear and resistance to movement of the sweeper. As the apron l8 and brush l3 wear in service, adjustment of the lever 63 and caster 2| will be required.

From consideration of Fig. 1 it will be observed that the casing embracing the rotary brush defines a volute conduit, along which dirt and air currents are directed through approximately 270 of the circumference of the brush. The deflector 3B acts to direct the air currents created by the brush during 270 of its rotation and the dirt carried over thereby into the receptacle 21. As shown, a portion of the deflector 36' extends into the receptacle 21, creating below the same a dead air space in the receptacle 21, in which th dirt may settle. The design of the receptacle 21 below the level of the deflector 36' is such as to eliminate to a great extent all eddy currents and permitting the dirt to readily settle into the receptacle.

flectors 36 through approximately 90 of the circumference of the brush, air currents are created which, assisted by the deflector 31, act in a direction of initial dirt movement, thus facilitating the elevation of dirt upon the apron l8 in its movement toward the receptacle. It has been found that the provision of the deflectors 36 and 31 has eliminated any tendency for the dirt to dribble down from above and to escape being picked up by the rotary brush.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent and claim is:

1. A sweeper of the character described, comprising ground wheels, a rotary cylindrical brush,

means to rotate said brush in the same direction as said ground wheels, a dirt catching apron behind said brush, means extending laterally of said sweeper pivotally mounting said apron, means to adjust the apron about said mounting means into contiguous relation withthe surface being swept, a dirt receptacle in front of said brush having an opening above the center line of said brush and spaced therefrom, a curved surface behind and over said brush forming an extension of said apron to direct dirt swept by said brush and a cylindrical brush rotates against an apron to lift dirt from a floor, a flexible apron having a web portion and a forward toe portion, which in operation is pushed along the floor, a foot portion extending rearwardly along the floor being swept from said toe portion and being of substantial width,'said web portion being deflected into arcuate shape through contact of said toe and foot portions with the floor and being supported through said toe and foot'portions,

3. In a floor sweeper, a rotary cylindrical brush, means rotating said brush to move the lower active portion thereof in the opposite direction to bodily movementof the sweeper, a casing embracing the periphery of said brush to deflne with the brush-a conduit for the discharge of dirt and air through approximately 270 of the circumference of said brush, a dirt container having an opening disposed at the point of discharge'of said conduit, and an air current deflecting structure located adjacent said discharge and contiguous with the circumference of said brush for directing air currents created during the remaindownwardly and rearwardly.

TRUMAN B. FUNK. 

